Wall mounted drink holder

ABSTRACT

A drink holder which is readily attached to a vertical wall or the like surface.

The following U.S. patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for its teaching:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/278,797 for Wall Mounted Drink Holder, filed Oct. 13, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to drink holding devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to drink holding devices that may be readily attached to a vertical wall surface or the like.

2. Prior Art

Beverages contained within drinking containers comprising bottles, cans, cups, glasses, and mugs can be received and vertically stabilized, preventing them from slipping and crashing to the floor. While numerous drink holding devices have been provided with a specific purpose in the prior art, no known device is suitable for the purpose of the present invention.

The Cobbs Manufacturing Company U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,160 shows a one piece drink holder that attaches to an automotive mounting surface such as a door panel by means of hanging. My invention does not claim to attach to automotive surfaces by means of hanging. My invention's mounted rigidly to vertical walls, or the like surfaces, by using fasteners such as screws, or with adhesive such as double sided adhesive tape.

The Liu U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,266 shows a drink holder that, after being mounted to a surface, also holds a beverage container vertically. This invention has several moving parts allowing for a collapsible configuration. My invention does not claim to collapse nor does it have any moving parts. My invention is made of a one piece construction and mounts rigidly to vertical surfaces such as walls.

The Hill U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,254 shows a drink holder that attaches to mounting surfaces using a suction cup as a fastener. It is manufactured with multiple pieces comprising an insulated drink holder that is attached to a t-bar which hangs from a clip which uses suction cup as a fastener. Again, my invention has a one piece construction which is securely mounted to vertical walls, or the like surfaces.

The Plocher U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,417 shows a drink holder which is assembled with multiple moving parts. When not in use, it's capable of folding into a minimal amount of space within its frame. Once more, my invention has no moving parts and is securely mounted to vertical surfaces comprising walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a drink holder that is securely attachable to a vertical wall or the like surface and which can be installed quickly and easily with the appropriate tools.

The principle object of this invention is to provide a secure and level location for beverage containers, saving on the number of broken beverage containers and spilled drinks by preventing them from falling to the floor.

Another objective of this invention is for the drink holder to be manufactured of few parts, reducing the cost of production.

A further objective of this wall mounted drink holder is to provide the user with a safe location to rest their drink rather than leaving their drink unattended while they're in a restroom.

One more objective of this invention is for the drink holder to be constructed entirely of corrosive resistant materials.

The preferred embodiment of the drink holder is formed as a unitary structure. Being either molded as a unitary member or formed or bent to form the drink holder from a single piece of sheet stock material.

The drink holder of this invention is constructed entirely of one part. On the top of the drink holder is provided with an opening for receiving the beverage container. This opening extends through the front of the drink holder. The opening in the front accommodates beverage containers provided with handles. Located at the rear of the drink holder are two holes for receiving two fasteners such as screws. The two fasteners are inserted from inside the housing outwards to the mounting surface. Adhesive such as double sided adhesive tape may also be used, with or without the screws.

To accomplish the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification and change without departing from the purpose of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a left elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is the top elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The drink holder of this invention is constructed entirely of one part. The opening 1 is large enough to receive containers comprising bottles, cans, cups, glasses, and mugs. The opening 1 extends to an elongated open-sided slot 2 in the front of the housing. This slot 2 is for the placement of mug handles.

Located in the rear of the drink holder are two holes, 3 and 4, giving two fasteners comprising screws or rivets, a point at which they pass from inside the drink holder through the rear, to the mounting surface. Only two fasteners will be needed for each installation, however, adhesive comprising double sided adhesive tape is located on the outside of the rear surface. This tape will assist in affixing the drink holder rigidly to the mounting surface.

When this lightweight drink holder is rigidly fastened into position, it gives the user a strong and level platform which will not move when a beverage container is placed within it.

This drink holder can be manufactured with a variety of processes and materials. One of these processes is with an injection mold using materials comprising plastic. This would also give the manufacturer the ability to produce this item in a variety of colors. It could also be formed to shape using plastic or metal sheet stock materials. While making these parts out of metal may be more expensive, it may hold up to regular use and vandalism more so than plastic. The presently preferred embodiment was formed to shape using aluminum sheet stock material. It is believed that this would be the most economical and affordable for the purchaser.

The drink holding devise of this invention is economical to construct and readily installed. While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the devise illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention. 

1. A wall mounted drink holder for holding a beverage container comprising, a unitary structure having a base for supporting the beverage container, a top having a first opening for receiving the beverage container, a front having a second opening for receiving a handle on the beverage container, and a back which is provided with at least two holes for receiving fasteners to secure the drink holder to a mounting surface, such as a wall, in a desired location.
 2. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein the first opening in the top is of adequate size such that containers comprising bottles, cans, cups, glasses, and mugs can be located within the confines and held vertically.
 3. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein the second opening in the front is of adequate shape such that it will accommodate handles of mug containers.
 4. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein the back is provided with at least two holes through which two fasteners pass from the interior of the drink holder to attach the unitary structure to a mounting surface.
 5. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein an adhesive comprising double sided adhesive tape is affixed to said back of the unitary structure, a vertical mounting surface being located adjacent of said back, said adhesive adhering the back of said drink holder to the vertical mounting surface.
 6. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein a pair of fasteners, each of said pair of fasteners passing through one of said holes in said back, a vertical mounting surface being located adjacent to said back, said fasteners attaching the back of said drink holder to the vertical mounting surface. 